Difference Between Democracy and Theocracy

Democracy and Theocracy are two forms of government that show differences between them when it comes to their concepts. Theocracy is a religious based government. On the other hand, democracy is a government that is elected by the people. In other words, the people reserve the right to elect their leader in the bye elections to form a stable government. This is the main difference between democracy and theocracy.

On the other hand, according to some, theocracy is also ruled by people who believe that Jesus alone is God. Others may not agree with this view point. They may say that although theocracy is ruled by people and it is a religious based government, it is not Christian necessarily. Any other religious system can also get into theocracy. This is an important observation to make, while trying to understand the difference between democracy and theocracy.

According to political experts democracy is the best form of government. It is not a perfect system according to some. Winston Churchill once said ‘It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried’. On the other hand, the people who run the government in the case of theocracy can even be religious leaders.

Theocracy is a form of government in which God or a deity is recognized as the supreme civil ruler. At the same time, the laws pronounced by God are interpreted by the spiritual and religious authorities. Priests claim a divine commission and hence, they form a system of government.

It is interesting to note that the word theocracy often refers to a commonwealth or state under such a form of government. These are the main differences between two important forms of government, namely, democracy and theocracy.